Allen West’s 50th

Presentation of a 50-year long service certificate to Worshipful Brother Allen West.

Allen West with, L to R, Alan Kilburn, Roger Odd and John England

On Thursday 9th April 2015, over 80 members and guests attended a Regular Meeting of The Queenborough Lodge No 3893 at the United Masonic Club in Sheerness, during which Worshipful Brother Allen West received a 50-year Long Service Certificate signed by the Provincial Grand Master. The certificate was presented by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Very Worshipful Brother Roger Odd.

Roger and Allen

Roger was escorted on this occasion by Worshipful Brother Alan Kilburn, one of the Deputy Grand Directors of Ceremonies, who will be retiring on 17th April. Also in attendance was Worshipful Brother John England, a recently appointed Escorting Director of Ceremonies.

Prior to the presentation, Roger explained that as this would be his last official visit to the lodge before standing down as Deputy Provincial Grand Master, he would on this occasion accept the Worshipful Master’s offer of the gavel, and duly took the Master’s Chair. He then gave a detailed account of Allen’s long and dedicated service to Freemasonry, and his professional career within the engineering industry.

Allen West was Initiated into the Queenborough Lodge No 3893 on 11th March 1965 by the late Worshipful Brother Stanley Brightman, and began his progression through the offices as a Steward the following December. At that time, Queenborough Lodge had their own building in Queenborough, which it shared with its daughter Lodge, The Isle of Sheppey Lodge No 6769. However, due to ever-increasing costs, the building was eventually sold and in 1971 both lodges moved to the United Masonic Club, Sheerness, where they have remained ever since.

After progressing through the various offices, Allen was installed as Worshipful Master in December 1974, after which he served as Director of Ceremonies from December 1976 to December 1999, a period of 23 years! Having stepped-down from DC, he was immediately invested as Junior Warden. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, he served as Junior Warden in-charge until December 2000, when he again became Master of the Lodge, serving during the Millennium. After vacating the chair, Allen served as Almoner for 5 years, then Treasurer for 8 years: a total of 48 years in office! He received a well-deserved promotion to Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 2008, a true recognition of his loyal and dedicated serviced to Freemasonry. Asked what he considered to be the highlight of his masonic career, W Bro Allen said; “This is very difficult to answer, but on reflection…..being installed into the Chair the second time in December 2000…..”

Allen and the members of Queenborough Lodge

Allen is a Joining Member of the Millennium Lodge of Charity in East Kent No 9730, was appointed Treasurer in September 2010, and currently still holds that office.

During the Festive Board, and on behalf of all members of Queenborough Lodge, Allen was presented with two cut-glass engraved whisky-glasses and a bottle of single malt whisky in appreciation of his dedicated and devoted service to the Lodge.